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Recycle sweet tins into gift boxes

Dare I confess we have become quite attached to the boxes of sweets available at this time of year?! Our excuse is that surely three mini bars of chocolate from a sweet tin is far less than a full normal size bar of chocolate..  but then we have a largish plastic box left. Time to set my mind to ideas for how to recycle sweet tins.

The empty sweet tins make great containers for gifts. Recycle sweet tins to hold all sorts of gifts, for instance, homemade body products, selection of homemade chutneys, cheese and biscuits, a car selection of goodies (screen wiper, torch, gloves, spare light bulbs etc).

Do you love sweets? Wonder what to do with the plastic tins? Upcycle them into gift boxes with chalk paint spray and fabric scraps #giftwrappingidea #upcyclecraft #giftwrap led projects and crafts are my favorite. #recycle #recycledproject #recycling #crafts #diy #doityourself #homedecor

You can easily decorate them, this in itself could be part of the present. Who would not want a lovely round storage tin beautifully decorated? I can visualize a tin in pale blue with decoupaged maps on the lid for a travel theme.

How to recycle sweet tins into gift boxes

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I have decorated this tin with chalk paint, applying a layer of plastic primer first from Novasol Spray UK.

Spraying chalk paint enables you to build up thin layers – be patient otherwise you may apply too much in one go causing runs (I speak from experience!).

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To make your own, apply a primer. Once dry apply a couple of thin coats of chalk paint.

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The inside lid of the tin has a crackled effect. To achieve this effect yourself apply a thick layer of chalk paint spray. Use crumpled fabric to mop the excess off.

Recycle sweet tins into gift boxes

Once you chalk paint is fully dry you are ready to decoupage your lid or sides.

Cut up fabric or paper into approx 1″ size pieces. Using watered down PVA glue adhere to the lid, carefully applying piece by piece.

Recycle sweet tins into gift boxes

Allow to dry and double check all edges are glued down. One finished recycled sweet tin.

Recycle sweet tins into gift boxes

Recycle sweet tins into gift boxes

This one is for my sister-in-law. I have knitted her a cowl and gloves. I love this easy project, what a difference a primer makes.

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Just how awesome is it that the recycled gift packaging is a present in itself.  There are so many possibilities for customising the recycled sweet tins to suit yourself or for a friend. If you don’t have any fabric available you could always use ripped up gift paper, comics, maps. Let your imagination run riot!!

If you love spray chalk paint and upcycling and storage try out this great transformation of storage baskets.

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The products have been provided free for this project, all opinions are my own.


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Susan

Tuesday 4th of December 2018

I am trying these lovely boxes and the paint has run in a couple of places, and the serial number is showing through. Any advice on how to deal with the runs ? Will the serial number go with several layers of paint ? The primer I used is white.

Jean

Saturday 27th of October 2018

Hello Vicky may I ask we’re to buy your chalk paint spray

Gerd

Thursday 14th of September 2017

Jeg glemte å si at når du bruker papir så finnes det decoupage lakk/lim som er spesielt til dette bruket. Kjøper det i hobbybutikker. Når du har dekorert ferdig og det har tørket bruker du lakk/lim over hele dekorasjonen din med ett tynt strøk, dette kan du gjøre flere ganger,men la det tørke for hver gang. Da holder dekoreringen seg veldig pen og du kan tørke støv av den og vaske den.:-)

Mila Kette

Sunday 14th of May 2017

PS: This might be a silly question, but is there a water to glue ratio you use when attaching fabric?

Vicky

Wednesday 17th of May 2017

Hi Mila, I'm sorry I can't remember the ratio I used, its definitely no more than 50% water but could be less.

Mila Kette

Sunday 14th of May 2017

How crafty! I love the idea. I have an empty tin and guess what I am going to do with it? Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful project.

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